Lasix

Lasix treats high blood pressure and helps with fluid retention. Lasix increases urination, so it is best taken earlier in the day to avoid having to get up in the night to urinate.

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Pharmacist Nazley Mohammadi, PharmD overviews the uses and common side effects of Furosemide

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Loop diuretics

Furosemide

Pharmacist Nazley Mohammadi, PharmD overviews the uses and common side effects of Furosemide

Loop diuretics

Pharmacist Christine Wicke, PharmD summarizes the uses, common side effects, and warnings for the Loop diuretics class of medications

Lasix Overview

Updated: March 26, 2018

Lasix is a prescription medication used to treat edema (tissue swelling) and treats high blood pressure. Lasix belongs to a group of drugs called diuretics, also known as “water pills.” These work by causing the kidneys to get rid of unneeded water and salt from the body into the urine.

This medication comes in tablet and is taken once or twice a day, with or without food.

Common side effects of Lasix include diarrhea, constipation, cramping, and ringing in the ears. Lasix can also cause dizziness. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how Lasix affects you.

Lasix Precautions

Serious side effects have been reported with furosemide including the following:

Ototoxicity. Ototoxicity may occur with too high of a dose of furosemide, if you have severe kidney dysfunction, of if you take other medications that are also known to cause ototoxicity. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you experience symptoms of ototoxicity such as

hearing disturbances (such as ringing in the ears)

if you feel as if your head is “spinning”

if you have trouble keeping your balance

Loss of electrolytes and fluid. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you experience any of the following symptoms:

dryness of mouth

thirst

weakness

lethargy

drowsiness

restlessness

muscle pains, cramps, or fatigue

low blood sugar

reduced ability to urinate

rapid heart beats

nausea

vomiting

being very thirsty

having blurry vision

having dry skin

feeling weak or tired

needing to urinate a lot

Increase in blood sugars. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you experience any of the following symptoms:

Increased uric acid levels. This may lead to gout, especially in patients with a history of gout. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you experience pain, redness, swelling, or tenderness in your joints.

Sunlight sensitivity. Your skin may become more sensitive to sunlight while taking furosemide. If so, make sure to wear sun block and to avoid sunlight where appropriate.

If you have high blood pressure, avoid over-the-counter medications that may increase your blood pressure such as appetite suppressants and certain decongestants.

Furosemide can cause drowsiness. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how furosemide affects you.

Do not take furosemide if you are allergic to furosemide or to any of its ingredients or if you are unable to urinate.

Lasix Food Interactions

Medications can interact with certain foods. In some cases, this may be harmful and your doctor may advise you to avoid certain foods. In the case of furosemide, there are no specific foods that you must exclude from your diet when receiving this medication.

Lasix and Pregnancy

The FDA categorizes medications based on safety for use during pregnancy. Five categories - A, B, C, D, and X, are used to classify the possible risks to an unborn baby when a medication is taken during pregnancy.

Furosemide into category C. In animal studies, pregnant animals were given this medication and had some babies born with problems. No well-controlled studies have been done in humans. Therefore, this medication may be used if the potential benefits to the mother outweigh the potential risks to the unborn child.

Lasix and Lactation

Furosemide has been detected in human breast milk. Because of the possibility for adverse reactions in nursing infants from furosemide, a choice should be made whether to stop nursing or to stop use of this medication. The importance of the drug to the mother should be considered.

Lasix Usage

This medication comes in tablet and oral (by mouth) solution forms and is taken once or twice a day, with or without food.

This medication is available in an injectable form to be given directly into a vein (IV) or the muscle (IM) by a healthcare professional.

The adverse side effects may be worsened with use of alcoholic beverages.

If you miss a dose, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time. Do not take two doses of furosemide at the same time.

Lasix Dosage

Take furosemide exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully.

The furosemide dose your doctor recommends will be based on the following:

the condition being treated

other medical conditions you have

other medications you are taking

how you respond to this medication

your weight

your age

The recommended dose range of furosemide for the treatment of edema in adults is 20 to 80 mg as a single dose. If necessary, it may be increased by your healthcare provider up to 600 mg per day, divided into multiple doses, for those with severe edema.

The recommended dose range of furosemide for the treatment of edema in children is 2 mg/kg to 6 mg/kg as a single dose.

The recommended dose range of furosemide for the treatment of high blood pressure is 80 mg, usually divided into 40 mg twice a day.

The dose of the injectable form will be determined by your healthcare provider.

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